LCS Indianapolis Completes Acceptance Trials
MARINETTE,
Wis. — Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) 17, the future USS Indianapolis, completed acceptance
trials in Lake Michigan, Lockheed Martin said in a June 26 release. This is the
ship’s final significant milestone before the ship is delivered to the U.S.
Navy. LCS 17 is the ninth Freedom-variant LCS designed and built by the
Lockheed Martin-led industry team and is slated for delivery to the Navy this
year.
“LCS 17
is joining the second-largest class of ships in the U.S. Navy fleet, and we are
proud to get the newest Littoral Combat Ship one step closer to delivery,” said
Joe DePietro, Lockheed Martin vice president and general manager, Small
Combatants and Ship Systems. “This ship is lethal and flexible, and we are
confident that she will capably serve critical U.S. Navy missions today and in
future.”
Unique among
combat ships, LCS is designed to complete close-to-shore missions and is a
growing and relevant part of the Navy’s fleet.
• It is flexible — with 40 percent of the
hull easily reconfigurable, LCS can be modified to integrate capabilities
including over-the-horizon missiles, advanced electronic warfare systems and
decoys.
• It is fast — capable of speeds in excess
of 40 knots.
• It is lethal — standard equipped with
Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM) and a Mark 110 gun, capable of firing 220
rounds per minute.
• It is automated — with the most
efficient staffing of any combat ship.
The trials
included a full-power run, maneuverability testing, and surface and air
detect-to-engage demonstrations of the ship’s combat system. Major systems and
features were demonstrated, including aviation support, small boat launch
handling, and recovery and machinery control and automation.
“I am
extremely proud of our LCS team including our shipbuilders at Fincantieri
Marinette Marine,” said Jan Allman, Fincantieri Marinette Marine president
and CEO. “These are complex vessels, and it takes a strong team effort to
design, build and test these American warships.”